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The Cabin in the Storm
A fast-paced, incendiary romantic suspense novel from the bestselling author of Mariposa, about an ambitious artist on the run who becomes stranded in a remote Alaska cabin with a mysterious, tortured stranger as a deadly snowstorm, buried secrets, and irresistible attraction threaten everything.
I love art. I love the stories you can tell with imagery and color. I can lose myself in a world I create, evoking emotions that help others connect and be seen.
I’m full of ambition, stardust, and hope. These things drive me. Until one day, my entire life feels like it’s crashing, and someone is after me.
Determined to keep going, I find myself in Sleepy Coldwater, a small town in Alaska, seeking healing and adventure. What I didn’t expect was to be blindsided by a snowstorm in the mountains, leaving me desperately in need of a life-saving sanctuary.
Gavin Ariksen finds me.
Handsome. Tall. Mysterious.
With glowing blue eyes that hold a tortured past. There’s an intoxicating connection between us, dripping with tension.
The thing is, we’re both souls with warm, broken hearts.
As time passes, the snow keeps rolling in, and truths unfold. Suddenly, this may be a storm I cannot survive.
I love art. I love the stories you can tell with imagery and color. I can lose myself in a world I create, evoking emotions that help others connect and be seen.
I’m full of ambition, stardust, and hope. These things drive me. Until one day, my entire life feels like it’s crashing, and someone is after me.
Determined to keep going, I find myself in Sleepy Coldwater, a small town in Alaska, seeking healing and adventure. What I didn’t expect was to be blindsided by a snowstorm in the mountains, leaving me desperately in need of a life-saving sanctuary.
Gavin Ariksen finds me.
Handsome. Tall. Mysterious.
With glowing blue eyes that hold a tortured past. There’s an intoxicating connection between us, dripping with tension.
The thing is, we’re both souls with warm, broken hearts.
As time passes, the snow keeps rolling in, and truths unfold. Suddenly, this may be a storm I cannot survive.
Audible Audio
Published August 4, 2026
About the author
Lexie Axelson
9 books1,485 followersLexie Axelson is a Hispanic Author from South Texas. She is a military spouse currently residing on the East Coast. She loves to pen angsty, heartbreaking love stories. When she isn't reading a book, she loves to watch horror movies and travel with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 442 reviews
October 8, 2026
yall PLEASE listen to this in audiobook format only !!i was laughing till my stomach hurt, whoever these narrators are deserve an oscar or something. this was ACTING, a whole performance if you will. i literally couldn’t take it seriously, so my ass was giggling like a witch the entire time. the story in itself was a good mixture of suspense, romance, and fucking. i love me a cowboy with a southern drawl. im pregnant. but again AUDIOBOOK you guys, the story was brought to LIFE in a whole different way!
May 3, 2026
I am having a generational crash out over how horrendous this book is. Buckle up because I’m not holding back. SPOILERS IF YOU DARE
You can’t convince me this book wasn’t written in under 30 minutes. Within 2 chapters “I” was said 121 times. The writing felt like the love child of Disney acting and vertical dramas. The tone was incredibly childish that I’m convinced a teenager wrote it. It felt like a book trying to get viral quotes. “My celestial artist”, “Haunt me. Ruin me. Shatter me.” 🙄 corny
Let’s visit 2 plot holes that happened within sentences of each other shall we? The FMC asks Merelyn where the MMC’s parents are and she replied,
“He hasn’t told you?
“No”
“They’re dead. “
UM HOLD THE PHONE LETS REWIND THAT ONE 9% EARLIER:
Gavin’s legit words to the FMC: “Anyways, they’re dead. Died before I could understand the meaning of death.” SOUNDS LIKE HE PLAINLY TOLD YOU TO ME??????? OH BUT WAIT IT GETS BETTER! Because Merelyn tells her they died from the serial killer to which our FMC says, “The Sleepy Coldwater Serial Killer? I’ve never heard of them.” REWIND THE DAMN TAPES AGAIN. She legit pulled out a newspaper in the basement that was about the damn serial killer!!!!! Then a few sentences later after saying she had never heard of him, acknowledges in her thoughts about what she read on the newspaper. YOU JUST SAID YOU NEVER HEARD OF THE KILLER THOUGH. The author can’t get her own story straight. The FMC asks herself “Why does Gavin have it? Is that newspaper related to his parents’ murders?” This girl was written to have rocks in her brain. Get me OUT OF HERE!!!! I can’t give a single positive quality about this girl. She was written as an insufferable idiot. The MMC is also awful because his obsession came out of no where. Had me cringing the whole time.
Don’t even get me started on the fact that her being able to see ghosts was USELESS. It was completely pointless to the storyline!!!!!!!! One of the ghosts even grabbed her hair and it was never acknowledged again?!
How about how we don’t even discuss who his father serial killed OR that there was a copycat killer. Pointless.
I’m back to the writing because why was she being chased by a moose then IMMEDIATELY confronted by wolves only to be IMMEDIATELY covered by an avalanche? This story had to be a fever dream written on a napkin.
Wanna talk about the absolute ridiculousness of the spice? Let’s. It came out of NOWHERE. What do you mean he’s SLAPPING her in the face and she’s calling herself his cck whore the first time they’re fcking? Mind you they hadn’t even kissed before this night and she would fck her husband with the lights off. And you’re gonna convince me she’d be fine with this complete 180 sexual personality the first time they’re intimate? SURE. The aggressiveness and word choices felt so out character for what we were shown up until that point. There was NO lead up to that at all so it gave me an ICKKKK. She has a “weeping pussy?” Doctor stat
The plot twist just being all about wanting that useless man?! B O R I N G. Nothing interesting with the ghosts or the suspense. I was SO excited to read this book. The cover is BEAUTIFUL but it was a trap to reel me in. Bamboozled I tell you!!!!
You can’t convince me this book wasn’t written in under 30 minutes. Within 2 chapters “I” was said 121 times. The writing felt like the love child of Disney acting and vertical dramas. The tone was incredibly childish that I’m convinced a teenager wrote it. It felt like a book trying to get viral quotes. “My celestial artist”, “Haunt me. Ruin me. Shatter me.” 🙄 corny
Let’s visit 2 plot holes that happened within sentences of each other shall we? The FMC asks Merelyn where the MMC’s parents are and she replied,
“He hasn’t told you?
“No”
“They’re dead. “
UM HOLD THE PHONE LETS REWIND THAT ONE 9% EARLIER:
Gavin’s legit words to the FMC: “Anyways, they’re dead. Died before I could understand the meaning of death.” SOUNDS LIKE HE PLAINLY TOLD YOU TO ME??????? OH BUT WAIT IT GETS BETTER! Because Merelyn tells her they died from the serial killer to which our FMC says, “The Sleepy Coldwater Serial Killer? I’ve never heard of them.” REWIND THE DAMN TAPES AGAIN. She legit pulled out a newspaper in the basement that was about the damn serial killer!!!!! Then a few sentences later after saying she had never heard of him, acknowledges in her thoughts about what she read on the newspaper. YOU JUST SAID YOU NEVER HEARD OF THE KILLER THOUGH. The author can’t get her own story straight. The FMC asks herself “Why does Gavin have it? Is that newspaper related to his parents’ murders?” This girl was written to have rocks in her brain. Get me OUT OF HERE!!!! I can’t give a single positive quality about this girl. She was written as an insufferable idiot. The MMC is also awful because his obsession came out of no where. Had me cringing the whole time.
Don’t even get me started on the fact that her being able to see ghosts was USELESS. It was completely pointless to the storyline!!!!!!!! One of the ghosts even grabbed her hair and it was never acknowledged again?!
How about how we don’t even discuss who his father serial killed OR that there was a copycat killer. Pointless.
I’m back to the writing because why was she being chased by a moose then IMMEDIATELY confronted by wolves only to be IMMEDIATELY covered by an avalanche? This story had to be a fever dream written on a napkin.
Wanna talk about the absolute ridiculousness of the spice? Let’s. It came out of NOWHERE. What do you mean he’s SLAPPING her in the face and she’s calling herself his cck whore the first time they’re fcking? Mind you they hadn’t even kissed before this night and she would fck her husband with the lights off. And you’re gonna convince me she’d be fine with this complete 180 sexual personality the first time they’re intimate? SURE. The aggressiveness and word choices felt so out character for what we were shown up until that point. There was NO lead up to that at all so it gave me an ICKKKK. She has a “weeping pussy?” Doctor stat
The plot twist just being all about wanting that useless man?! B O R I N G. Nothing interesting with the ghosts or the suspense. I was SO excited to read this book. The cover is BEAUTIFUL but it was a trap to reel me in. Bamboozled I tell you!!!!
April 30, 2026
Dnf at 20% Bad, corny writing, fast paced and OW drama. MMC is sleeping with this other woman that lives at the ranch and that's when I was out. Fuck this 😂 she’s actually a character throughout the whole book (I skipped through the rest and it sucked). I thought this was some kind of hermit MMC but nope.
May 19, 2026
One of the worst books I’ve ever had the displeasure of reading. The writing was shit, the characters are fucking WEIRD and deserve each other because no one else can love them, and the plot made NO SENSE! The cover is really pretty but that’s the only positive about this colossal waste of time.
August 21, 2026
This was an interesting mix of thriller, mystery, romance and with paranormal elements and set in beautiful snowy Alaska! Which i love the idea of but for me it just didn’t land.
I wanted to know more about the why, everything just felt like it lacked depth and substance. Our FMC was very naive, and made questionable choices.
Also i begggggg please can we remove ‘weeping’ from spicy scenes because i just can’t 🤢
I wanted to know more about the why, everything just felt like it lacked depth and substance. Our FMC was very naive, and made questionable choices.
Also i begggggg please can we remove ‘weeping’ from spicy scenes because i just can’t 🤢
May 3, 2026
2.5 ⭐
Cover ate. The book… skipped the meal.
FMC was doing everything except making sense 🤡
Plot twist was so obvious it practically introduced itself in chapter one.
Amazing premise, disappointing execution.
It had potential… and then just didn’t.
Cover ate. The book… skipped the meal.
FMC was doing everything except making sense 🤡
Plot twist was so obvious it practically introduced itself in chapter one.
Amazing premise, disappointing execution.
It had potential… and then just didn’t.
August 21, 2026
3.9 Stars
I really enjoyed this storyline. I did an immersive read and felt like that helped me stay invested. This story gives us forced proximity, grumpy sunshine, stalker, and a few little twists here and there. While it wasn't my favorite, I still enjoyed the book and do feel like people are rating harsher than deserved. It was worth a read for me.
I really enjoyed this storyline. I did an immersive read and felt like that helped me stay invested. This story gives us forced proximity, grumpy sunshine, stalker, and a few little twists here and there. While it wasn't my favorite, I still enjoyed the book and do feel like people are rating harsher than deserved. It was worth a read for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was so addicting from the start! Its very fast paced and i loved how quickly i fell in love with the characters and the story. Gavin can get it any day! Lol he was so grumpy at first but deep down he was a big teddy bear in love with her.
May 1, 2026
Voy a empezar diciendo que ni siquiera se cómo termine de leer este libro.
Me pareció súper random todo, al principio le tenía muchísima fe a la historia porque ella estaba tratando de reencontrarse así misma después de descubrir que le eran infiel y querer acabar con su vida y el protagonista era un hombre solitario ex marine que tenía un pasado muy duro pero cuando aparecieron los fantamas fue todo demasiado nada que ver 😭, había cosas que le quitaban seriedad a todo y que no se desarrollara bien la relación de ellos y al final admitiera que el era un obsesionado con ella que manipuló su vida para que se conocieran fue HORRIBLE.
Me pareció súper random todo, al principio le tenía muchísima fe a la historia porque ella estaba tratando de reencontrarse así misma después de descubrir que le eran infiel y querer acabar con su vida y el protagonista era un hombre solitario ex marine que tenía un pasado muy duro pero cuando aparecieron los fantamas fue todo demasiado nada que ver 😭, había cosas que le quitaban seriedad a todo y que no se desarrollara bien la relación de ellos y al final admitiera que el era un obsesionado con ella que manipuló su vida para que se conocieran fue HORRIBLE.
August 30, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.75/5
I’m not 100 % on the writing, but I really enjoyed the story and those 🌶️ scenes where 🔥
I’m not 100 % on the writing, but I really enjoyed the story and those 🌶️ scenes where 🔥
Did Not Finish
April 29, 202685% of the way in and had to DNF. The writing is so choppy, he’s a fucking psycho, she’s chronically annoying and all over the place as a character, and the paranormal aspect was so boring and could have been something. I really don’t understand how this got so many positive reviews because what the actual fuck.
May 25, 2026
2 ⭐️
4 🌶
this was a shitshow in every aspect. Should have trusted my gut and DNFd 🫠
4 🌶
this was a shitshow in every aspect. Should have trusted my gut and DNFd 🫠
August 5, 2026
I fear this is partly my fault for not forwarding those chain emails in 2008
April 28, 2026
Wow! Ok when I say this book has it all…… omg it had it all! We start off with an eerie beginning that just captures you from the start. Past trauma that tugs at your heart strings, and a broody MMC that is WAY obsessed with his girl. Gavin has is bad for Coraline and my, touch her and die loving vibes was here for it! There is forced proximity when Cora is in an accident in a snow storm after someone tries to kill her and she wakes up in a cabin with grumpy Gavin. But who’s after her, who can she trust? Can she love again after a broken marriage? Omg this is a must read romance with suspense that keeps you wanting to know more!
July 20, 2026
3.5⭐️
This book was entertaining! ….but the writing was not it. I’m sorry it’s true. It read like a debut and the characters kept things interesting, but the actual plot just fell flat! Obviously I still liked it enough, but wouldn’t recommend!
This book was entertaining! ….but the writing was not it. I’m sorry it’s true. It read like a debut and the characters kept things interesting, but the actual plot just fell flat! Obviously I still liked it enough, but wouldn’t recommend!
May 1, 2026
Girl, what the fuck?
August 3, 2026
2.75⭐️ the cover & blurbed was calling to be but unfortunately the execution just wasn’t it… it was entertaining enough that I finished it and I had the audiobook so I had it playing while getting some work done but overall this just lacked cohesiveness and the writing felt a bit all over the place
May 25, 2026
This had a really promising premise, but it didn’t quite land for me. It felt like too many genres were packed into one story… thriller, mystery, paranormal, dark romance, serial killer mystery, OW drama, even mental health rep; so it became hard to know where the focus was. I wasn’t fully drawn to the writing style, and while the pacing kept things moving, the mystery felt a bit surface-level, especially the motive behind the death threats, which felt very shallow and almost dropped in out of nowhere. The paranormal elements also didn’t really make sense to me and felt unnecessary. The story could have worked just as well without them.
It still somehow kept me entertained, mainly because of the pacing. If you want a quick, entertaining read, it does the job, but don’t go in expecting a strong or tightly crafted plot.
Thank you to the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It still somehow kept me entertained, mainly because of the pacing. If you want a quick, entertaining read, it does the job, but don’t go in expecting a strong or tightly crafted plot.
Thank you to the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2026
This book was giving me telenovela vibes ✨
The drama, the lies, the mystery, even the paranormal! 👀✨😶
Based on the cover I did not see that coming 😂. I thought this was going to be a cute cozy book about a couple in a cabin. Which I mean partially yes but man was I wrong. 💀😂 I was getting whiplash from the FMC’s decisions and the MMC too!! 💀
Before you even begin reading the author does warn you this is a fast paced romantic suspense but girlllll…… I WAS NOT READY !💀
Our FMC Carolina is an artist and gets commissioned to go to Alaska to sell some pieces. So of course she goes I mean why not!? Right?
Then some weird stuff happens and she gets caught in a storm ❄️. Theirs an accident 💥 and next thing you know a grumpy cowboy saves her. Hello tall, dark, and handsome Gavin 😏🔥.
This is where the book really starts and when I tell you there are twists and turns 😶. I was shooketh and I didn’t know how to feel. It caught me so off guard that I loved it! Do I understand everything that happened and accept it… no but idc 💀😂🩷
The drama, the lies, the mystery, even the paranormal! 👀✨😶
Based on the cover I did not see that coming 😂. I thought this was going to be a cute cozy book about a couple in a cabin. Which I mean partially yes but man was I wrong. 💀😂 I was getting whiplash from the FMC’s decisions and the MMC too!! 💀
Before you even begin reading the author does warn you this is a fast paced romantic suspense but girlllll…… I WAS NOT READY !💀
Our FMC Carolina is an artist and gets commissioned to go to Alaska to sell some pieces. So of course she goes I mean why not!? Right?
Then some weird stuff happens and she gets caught in a storm ❄️. Theirs an accident 💥 and next thing you know a grumpy cowboy saves her. Hello tall, dark, and handsome Gavin 😏🔥.
This is where the book really starts and when I tell you there are twists and turns 😶. I was shooketh and I didn’t know how to feel. It caught me so off guard that I loved it! Do I understand everything that happened and accept it… no but idc 💀😂🩷
April 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was short and punchy, and it had me hooked from the start! If you’re looking for a less than 300-page contemporary dark romance with paranormal elements, this is definitely for you.
We follow Coraline, an artist whose life gets completely derailed after discovering something that changes everything. She ends up traveling to a small town in Alaska for an event, but when a massive storm rolls in, things take a turn… and she finds herself stranded in a remote cabin for quite a while.
Cue the forced proximity deliciousness.
Our MMC is a dark, broody, ex-military man (Lexie really said we’re getting our military fix 😌), and the tension between them is chef’s kiss. Add in ghosts, eerie happenings, and a serial killer on the loose and oh, Coraline also has a stalker?!and it becomes such a fun, chaotic ride.
I genuinely had such a good time reading this. It was engaging, atmospheric, and perfectly bingeable in one sitting. I love Lexie’s writing style!! it just flows so easily and pulls you in without trying too hard.
Thank you, Lexie, for the opportunity to ARC read this!
This was short and punchy, and it had me hooked from the start! If you’re looking for a less than 300-page contemporary dark romance with paranormal elements, this is definitely for you.
We follow Coraline, an artist whose life gets completely derailed after discovering something that changes everything. She ends up traveling to a small town in Alaska for an event, but when a massive storm rolls in, things take a turn… and she finds herself stranded in a remote cabin for quite a while.
Cue the forced proximity deliciousness.
Our MMC is a dark, broody, ex-military man (Lexie really said we’re getting our military fix 😌), and the tension between them is chef’s kiss. Add in ghosts, eerie happenings, and a serial killer on the loose and oh, Coraline also has a stalker?!and it becomes such a fun, chaotic ride.
I genuinely had such a good time reading this. It was engaging, atmospheric, and perfectly bingeable in one sitting. I love Lexie’s writing style!! it just flows so easily and pulls you in without trying too hard.
Thank you, Lexie, for the opportunity to ARC read this!
September 25, 2026
Ew. L’idée générale de l’histoire était bonne (cowboy romance, elle reste pognée sur son ranch à cause d’un tempête de neige) mais la delivery absolument deg.
Dans le premier 30% elle a failli mourir dans un car crash, elle se fait pourchasser par un orignal et ensuite par des coyotes ET elle manque encore de mourir dans une avalanche.
Le gars dit je t’aime après 7 JOURS
Dans le premier 30% elle a failli mourir dans un car crash, elle se fait pourchasser par un orignal et ensuite par des coyotes ET elle manque encore de mourir dans une avalanche.
Le gars dit je t’aime après 7 JOURS
June 12, 2026
This book was not at all what i expected it to be. It went from 0 to 100 in quick. I didn’t want to put the dang thing down. The suspense and the angst was 🤏🏼🤏🏼.
I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest.
I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest.
May 16, 2026
Devoured in 72 hours and loved every second of it
September 7, 2026
You’re telling me this man is an orphan (traumatized), ex navy seal, hacker genius, cowboy, bull rider amputee? Burn this book to the ground. This was a hate read after a while such a waste of my time and money wtf
Did Not Finish
May 20, 2026DNF… I uhhh just… nope.
April 5, 2026
ARC Review
The Cabin in the Storm by Lexie Axelson
A fast-paced and intense dark romance.
After the devastating betrayal of her Husband and closest friends, Coraline Rosa finds that she is unable to do the one thing that always came naturally, creating art. When Coraline is invited to a remote Alaskan town for an Art exhibit, she packs up some of her old work, hoping to escape the wreckage of her failed marriage, while hunting for something to spark her creativity. But before leaving for her trip, she receives an ominous and threatening message from a stranger. Coraline tries to brush it off as a prank, but when more messages arrive shortly after arriving in Alaska, with details about her appearance, she can no longer deny the growing fear that someone is stalking her.
With a massive blizzard rolling in, Coraline rushes to escape Alaska and the person who is watching her. But as the storm intensifies, Coraline is run off the road by someone determined to kill her. When her car crashes, the last thing she remembers is her stalker approaching to finish the job before she blacks out.
Coraline wakes battered and bruised in a warm cabin surrounded by strangers. With a blizzard raging around the secluded cabin, Coraline is forced to shelter in place with a handsome, grumpy cowboy until the roads are cleared and the phones are back up so she can report the attack and get out of Alaska.
Gavin is closed off from most of the world and prefers it that way, but when Coraline crash lands into his world he can’t help the obsession that consumes him with each passing day.
Intense, suspenseful, and fast-paced, this dark romance will keep you engaged all the way til the end. I am typically not a fan of insta-love, but somehow it works in this book. Cabin in the Storm tackles some dark themes, and both Gavin and Coraline are healing from very tragic pasts, so their romance feels like a win they both deserved.
The Cabin in the Storm by Lexie Axelson
A fast-paced and intense dark romance.
After the devastating betrayal of her Husband and closest friends, Coraline Rosa finds that she is unable to do the one thing that always came naturally, creating art. When Coraline is invited to a remote Alaskan town for an Art exhibit, she packs up some of her old work, hoping to escape the wreckage of her failed marriage, while hunting for something to spark her creativity. But before leaving for her trip, she receives an ominous and threatening message from a stranger. Coraline tries to brush it off as a prank, but when more messages arrive shortly after arriving in Alaska, with details about her appearance, she can no longer deny the growing fear that someone is stalking her.
With a massive blizzard rolling in, Coraline rushes to escape Alaska and the person who is watching her. But as the storm intensifies, Coraline is run off the road by someone determined to kill her. When her car crashes, the last thing she remembers is her stalker approaching to finish the job before she blacks out.
Coraline wakes battered and bruised in a warm cabin surrounded by strangers. With a blizzard raging around the secluded cabin, Coraline is forced to shelter in place with a handsome, grumpy cowboy until the roads are cleared and the phones are back up so she can report the attack and get out of Alaska.
Gavin is closed off from most of the world and prefers it that way, but when Coraline crash lands into his world he can’t help the obsession that consumes him with each passing day.
Intense, suspenseful, and fast-paced, this dark romance will keep you engaged all the way til the end. I am typically not a fan of insta-love, but somehow it works in this book. Cabin in the Storm tackles some dark themes, and both Gavin and Coraline are healing from very tragic pasts, so their romance feels like a win they both deserved.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
ARC review
3.5⭐️
I think I might move to Alaska and see if I can find myself a Gavin Ariksen because hot damn, what a man.
3.5⭐️
I think I might move to Alaska and see if I can find myself a Gavin Ariksen because hot damn, what a man.
April 18, 2026
I received this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
“Your art speaks words without a voice. It evokes emotions I didn’t know I had. You make me feel less alone. And most of all, you make me feel like I can conjure dreams and not just nightmares.”
From the moment I read this quote, I just wanted to keep reading.
Coraline is someone who completely loses herself in her art. She’s ambitious, hopeful, and driven… until her life suddenly turns upside down. Hoping to find herself again (and the connection she had with her art), she goes to Sleepy Coldwater, a small town in Alaska.
That’s where she meets the mysterious Gavin and due to a snowstorm, they end up stuck there together.
I really enjoyed this story. At first, it feels a little predictable, but don’t let that fool you. There are some really great plot twists that I didn’t fully see coming.
Gavin is intense, but in a way that allows Coraline to truly be herself, which I loved. Their dynamic just works.
And then there’s Merelyn… honestly, from the very first moment, I couldn’t help but love her.
Lexie’s writing style is smooth and easy to read. The smut is well done and subtle, never over the top, which I personally really appreciated. She also paints a vivid picture of Sleepy Coldwater and the side characters are well developed.
And then that plot twist toward the end… wow. I genuinely loved it. It caught me off guard in a good way and I’m always a fan of books that manage to surprise me like that.
I truly enjoyed this book and want to say so much more… but I don’t want to spoil anything. I definitely recommend reading this book and experiencing it for yourself.
“Your art speaks words without a voice. It evokes emotions I didn’t know I had. You make me feel less alone. And most of all, you make me feel like I can conjure dreams and not just nightmares.”
From the moment I read this quote, I just wanted to keep reading.
Coraline is someone who completely loses herself in her art. She’s ambitious, hopeful, and driven… until her life suddenly turns upside down. Hoping to find herself again (and the connection she had with her art), she goes to Sleepy Coldwater, a small town in Alaska.
That’s where she meets the mysterious Gavin and due to a snowstorm, they end up stuck there together.
I really enjoyed this story. At first, it feels a little predictable, but don’t let that fool you. There are some really great plot twists that I didn’t fully see coming.
Gavin is intense, but in a way that allows Coraline to truly be herself, which I loved. Their dynamic just works.
And then there’s Merelyn… honestly, from the very first moment, I couldn’t help but love her.
Lexie’s writing style is smooth and easy to read. The smut is well done and subtle, never over the top, which I personally really appreciated. She also paints a vivid picture of Sleepy Coldwater and the side characters are well developed.
And then that plot twist toward the end… wow. I genuinely loved it. It caught me off guard in a good way and I’m always a fan of books that manage to surprise me like that.
I truly enjoyed this book and want to say so much more… but I don’t want to spoil anything. I definitely recommend reading this book and experiencing it for yourself.
June 3, 2026
“What are you doing?” I whisper. “I’m looking at you, sweetheart.” “Why?” “Because I can’t seem to stop.”
well...alright...that was...a mess?😅😅
it felt like i had a bunch of tropes and genres just thrown at me at once. you have paranormal, enemies to lovers, mystery, and dark romance. it was just so quick that i blinked and it was over and not in a good way. i closed the book utterly confused.🙃
if the author wanted so much mystery and paranoia, i don't understand why the book wasn't a little longer. it was just sped through like a freight train, and then it was like, "yay, the end." HUH??
also...he was kind of a love bomber. 😬 i didn't like how he didn't let her say no, either.
for example,
“Do you know what it’s like to watch your family be ripped apart in front of you?” his voice trembles.
“Do you know what it’s like to watch the only family you have left die in front of you? Twice?” he roars. His mother and now Merelyn.
Quivering, I look away. I’m a coward. “What if I told you that when I look at you, it feels like home?” I shut my lids tight.
I can’t look at him as he falls apart.
like...is it just me, or does that seem kind of "stay with me because i'm so broken" energy? and kind of manipulative ?? 😑🤨🙂↔️ this book just didn't do it for me. 😕
“Coraline. You are more than just beautiful. That word doesn’t do your beauty justice. You’re celestial. Out of this world, so goddamn celestial.”
“You are so fucking perfect because you’re you.
'I’m obsessed already and so fucking fucked. She makes me smile just by breathing.'
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